UW Sunday Column 4-13-14: Karen Cox from Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month in which Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery and other prevention programs raise awareness about the nursery’s daily mission to prevent child abuse and neglect.

We wear blue ribbons and educate our local community regarding the reality of abuse and neglect locally.

A recent report by Voices for Illinois Children indicated that during 2009-11, the average rate of child abuse and neglect in Sangamon County was 16.5 per 1,000, compared with the statewide rate of 8.3. As of this year, Department of Children and Family Services reports that there have already been 12,535 reports of child abuse and neglect in downstate Illinois, resulting in nearly 2,000 children taken into protective custody.

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United Way advances the common good. Our focus is on protecting services vital to the immediate basic needs of the most vulnerable members of our community; while making long term investments in education, financial stability and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life.